Methods and apparatus for increasing media consumption are disclosed. The present invention can provide viewers increased access to content of interest across various platforms, such as online articles, online audio and video clips, and television and radio broadcasts. In an embodiment, an individual viewing content online, such as a news article, is given a link. The link provides the viewer access to a list of content related to the article being viewed. The related content is not limited to the platform related content across, and allows the user to view the content, automatically set the content to be recorded by a digital video recorder, or reserve the content for future viewing. Accordingly, by providing the user with convenient access to content across platforms, based on their interests, they are more given media content they are more likely to enjoy. Accordingly, viewership of this content will increase, through this connection of individuals with content that aligns with their interests.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection, as filed with the USPTO.
1. A method displaying to a viewer television programs related to media content of interest, wherein all steps are carried out by one or more computers on a network, which method comprises: providing the media content of interest on a webpage displayed by the viewer's Internet web browser, wherein the media content of interest includes a discussion of one or more particular topics; identifying on the webpage contextually with the media content of interest one or more television programs related to the one more particular topics by cross-referencing the one or more particular topics with a database of television programs; and providing a link on the webpage, wherein activation of the link causes the one or more television programs to be recorded or displayed to the viewer.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the identifying includes a time of broadcast for the one or more television programs and the method further comprises allowing the viewer to download the broadcast time to allow the viewer to view or record the one or more television programs.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the downloading of the broadcast time communicates with a digital video recorder and arranges for the digital video recorder to automatically record the program.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the identified one or more television programs are of a media format that is different than a media format of the media content of interest.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the television programs is a video clip associated with the media content of interest, and the method further comprises prompting the viewer to view the video clip when it is available online.
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising communicating with a digital video recorder and arranging for the digital video recorder to automatically record the identified one or more television programs.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein the television show related to the particular topic displayed by the viewer's Internet web browser is sent to a user's smart phone.
8. The method of claim 1 which further comprises forwarding the identified programs(s) to members of a social network.
9. The method of claim 8 which further comprises the use or members of the third party social networking website programming a digital recording service to record video or audio content at a scheduled broadcast time.
10. The method of claim 9 , which further comprises: providing the user the ability to search for additional television radio programs similar to the suggested television or radio content; returning one or more second suggested television or radio programs based upon the user's search; and allowing the user to add the first suggested and second suggested television and radio programs to a list of media to be provided to the members of the third party social networking website.
11. The method of claim 8 which further comprises allowing the members of the third party social networking website to automatically add the identified one or more television programs to a media queue.
12. The method of claim 8 , wherein the identifying includes a time of broadcast for the one or more television programs and the method further comprises allowing at least one of the members of the third party social networking website to download the broadcast time so that the one or more television programs can be viewed or recorded.
13. The method of claim 1 , which further comprises posting information related to the one or more television programs on a third party social — networking website, whereby members of the third party social networking website can access the information.
14. A method for displaying to a viewer television programs related to media content of interest, wherein all steps are carried out by one or more computers on a network, which method comprises: providing the media content of interest on a webpage displayed by the viewer's Internet web browser, wherein the media content of interest includes a discussion of one or more particular topics; identifying on the webpage and contextually with the media content of interest a broadcast stream for a future showing of one or more programs to the viewer, wherein the one or more programs are related to the one or more particular topics and the identifying is achieved by querying a database for programs related to the one or more particular topics; displaying an icon notifying the viewer of a broadcast time of the one or more programs; and providing a link on the webpage, wherein activation of the link causes the one or more programs to be recorded or to be displayed to the viewer if the broadcast time has passed.
15. The method of claim 14 , which further comprises allowing the viewer to download the broadcast time to allow the viewer to view or record the one or more television programs.
16. The method of claim 14 , which further comprises posting information relating to the one or more programs on a third party social networking website, whereby members of the third party social networking website can access the information.
17. An apparatus for increasing television ratings comprising: a webpage comprising: media content of interest displayed on a viewer's Internet web browser, the media content including a discussion of a particular topic; at least one link to a television show related to the particular topic, the link being displayed contextually with one or more particular topics related to the media content of interest and, when activated, causing the television show to be recorded or displayed to the viewer; a digital video recorder capable of being programmed by a remote control; a portable computing device comprising: a housing; a user interface including an I/O surface; software which allows the computer to act as a remote control for audio visual devices; software which allows the viewer to browse the Internet utilizing the Internet web browser; software which using the link to query a database, identifies television shows associated with the particular topic; and software which sets the digital video recorder, by acting as a remote control, to record the television show related to the particular topic.
18. The apparatus of claim 17 in which the software which sets the digital video recorder prompts the user before choosing to record each television show related to the particular topic.
19. The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the portable computing device further comprises software operable to post the at least one link to the television show on a third party social networking website, whereby members of the third party social networking website can access the link.
20. A system comprising: an Internet accessible device programmed to provide to users content of a first media type retrieved from different content providers over the Internet by web servers, wherein the content of the first media type includes a discussion of one or more particular topics is displayed by a viewer's Internet web browser, the Internet accessible device also displaying a user selectable option with the content; provider side equipment to provide content of a second media type comprising scheduled media programs; a recording device, the recording device automatically recording programs from the provider side equipment when the user selectable option is activated; and a programmable searching device that in response to a user selecting to retrieve content from different web content providers, suggests matching programs to the user contextually with the one or more particular topics.
21. The system of claim 20 , wherein information relating to the matching programs is posted on a third party social networking website, whereby members of the third party social networking website can access the information.
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
November 11, 2010
April 14, 2015
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